Colourful Bowls ‘5 Band’ by Michael Trimpol

These 5 Band Incalmo Colourful bowls are made in the ancient tradition of Venetian glass, but hand-blown in the beautiful hills of Vermont, USA.

Incalmo is the plant-like ‘grafting’ or fusing together of different bubbles of hot glass. Each one has to be masterfully blown to the exact shape and size so that each one can be stacked together.

The technique is difficult to become an expert at, and 5 bands are much more difficult than three bands.

N.B. The images shown are an example of the ones in the series. Each piece is hand-blown and therefore there will be small variations in colour and pattern. Each one is completely unique and signed by the artist.

Colourful Bowls Artist

Michael Trimpol is our first American artist. We are delighted to be able to bring his art glass vases here to the UK.

Michael was born and raised in Philadelphia. He first learned about glassworking when he took a stained glass course in Vermont.

He started pursuing a career in stained glass and studied at Concordia University in Montreal before becoming frustrated with the two-dimensional nature of stained glass and moved into glassblowing, taking a course at Sheridan College School of Craft & Design in Mississauga, Ontario, where he graduated in 1985.

After graduation he took up residency at one of Toronto’s most popular tourist destinations; Harbourfront Craft Studios, before setting up his own company in 1989 Hot Glass Inc. He relocated to Stowe in Vermont to continue to develop his range of blown glass products. From there he designs and produces a diverse array of art glass products.

He currently designs and manufactures a diverse body of products in addition to overseeing the operations of the studio.

Artist’s Statement

“Of the many media and processes which can be used to create art, I have always been attracted to glass and its potential. I initially worked with stained glass.

However, I soon became drawn to the dynamic nature of the blowing process which seemed to suit both my nature and my vision better.

I have a strong preference for objects of a personal scale and with potential utility. A vessel with a lid or stopper has always been of most interest. Colour and pattern are also very important. I like to create either a single pure colour highlighting form or a more complex mixture to create patterns.

I am proud of the final product, but it is the actual process of creation that I find most satisfying.”